Competing on 'Jeopardy': What is a dream come true?

June 15, 2022

Note: This story has been updated since it was initially published June 12.

The goal was simultaneously complicated and simple for retired biology professor Barry Margulies: He wanted to be a contestant on the beloved, television game show “Jeopardy.”

Margulies, 55, took part in a potpourri of online, 60-question tests over the years.

”I’ve lost count how many times I took the test,” the avid “Jeopardy” watcher said recently.  

During the summer of 2021, Margulies took the online test and then did online interviews later that fall. Eventually, he was told in December that the show had a spot for him.

“I do seriously think there’s a significant amount of luck involved,” he said of eventually making the show. “Your spot on the podium is randomly chosen.”

Margulies recorded his episode in April of this year at the show’s Culver City, CA studio and his appearance aired June 14.

“The whole thing was a bucket list experience,” he said. “It was more about drinking it in than being awestruck by any particular aspect of it. I can’t tell you much I enjoyed the whole thing. It was like going on stage with a bunch of friends.”

Margulies kept that same approach when the classic “Final Jeopardy” round, complete with darkened lights and the trademark ‘thinking’ music, arrived.

“Much of that is for dramatic effect for the audience,” Margulies said. “When they show the final category, you do some math and figure out how much you’re going to bet. It’s still incredibly iconic.”

Margulies said interim host, actress and neuroscientist, Mayim Bialik “was very down to earth and personable. She really did a lot to make us feel comfortable. She did an excellent job.”

This isn’t the first time Margulies has been on a game show. He appeared on Comedy Central’s “Win Ben Stein’s Money” in 2000 and would be open to competing on others

Margulies said the best preparation for TV shows came from the classroom. He retired from TU at the conclusion of the 2021 fall term.

“I was more nervous on the first day I taught at Towson,” said Margulies. “I was awed. I thought, ‘what was I saying that was so important that they were writing down copious notes? That’s the thing about teaching. You do your job. I had to be on. That was a daily thing.”